Wee! Chapter Twelve! sigh. I've noticed a serious drop in the number of people reading this. That sort of makes me sad...oh well. If it continues to downslide, I might ditch the story. But Ihope not!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

I Trust You- Chapter Twelve

Ryan woke up early. He got dressed and sat down at his desk. He wondered when would be a good time to call Shaylee. He went downstairs and got out a bowl and spoon. He poured some Cheerios, and then went back to his room. By 7:30 he could hardly wait anymore. He decided to waste time going through his closet. Ryan picked through his shirts and pants. Ryan paused, looking at a short-sleeve shirt. He hadn't worn 'normal' shorts since the fifth grade. He preferred the loose, soft fabric; sometimes he felt to restricted in normal shirts. That and with looser clothing it didn't rub against his bruises and swollen injuries. Ryan took off his shirt and examined his chest. Sharpay didn't know, but one time, after coming home drunk, their father had chased him with a knife. Ryan didn't tell Sharpay, but he still had nightmares about it. Sharpay knew about the scissors incident though. That happened in fifth grade. Their father had asked Ryan to get him some scissors, and when Ryan brought him some he said they were the wrong ones and sliced Ryan's arm. Ryan had worn a short sleeve shirt to school a few days after that, and the other boys teased him and told the teacher that he was a 'cutter.' The teacher sent him to the principal's office who called his parents and they came in. Ryan's mother cried, saying she had no idea, she kept hugging Ryan and saying she loved him. Ryan's dad sat quietly, not saying anything. Ryan knew he was in for the punishment of his life that evening.

A sudden ring interrupted Ryan's thoughts. He jumped up, threw a white undershirt on and ran to his cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Ryan? This is Shaylee."

"Oh yeah. Hi. I didn't think you'd be awake at this early time…"

"…It's almost 8:00. Anyway, I'm always up early; I like to get early morning photos."

"Oh. So, when did you want me to pick you up?"

"Well, the stores open at nine, why don't you come at 8:30?"

"Sure!" Ryan glanced at the clock. He could make 35 minutes go by fast. There was a knock at his door. "I should go, I'll pick you up at 8:30 then"

"Ok, bye"

Sharpay opened the door. "Who were you talking to?" She asked, inviting herself in.

"No one important"

"Oh. Ok!" She walked over and sat on his bed. She glanced at the bruises on his arms. "What're you getting dressed for? Do we have voice lessons today?"

"No I'm…I'm going out."

"Out? As in, you're going to play in the backyard?"

"Er…no, I meant I'm going somewhere."

"Where?"

"Why?" Ryan glanced at the clock again. "Look Shar, I kind of have to get ready."

"With who? Shaylee? If it is tell me what she says!"

Ryan arrived at the address Shaylee gave him. He wondered vaguely why he felt so nervous. He walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. After a few moments, the door slowly creaked open. Mentally, Ryan had already run done the block. Physically, his feet were glued to the spot.

Standing in the doorway was a tall, slim girl. Her hair was long, straight, and pitch black. She wore a matching black shirt and pants. Her skin was so pale it looked like the last time it had sun exposure was when she was brought home from the hospital after being born.

"Um… does Shaylee live here?" The girl didn't respond; she just stared. "Uh… right. I must have the wrong address…" Ryan turned to leave.

"Hey Vi, could you take Dustin for me? I'm expecting a visitor-" Shaylee appeared behind the girl in black. She held a small boy with similar black hair. "Oh, hi Ryan. Sorry, I didn't know you were here." She passed the boy over to the girl, who set him on the floor. The boy stared at Ryan with unblinking bright blue eyes. Ryan hated to think it, but that boy scared the crap out of him.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" The girl's voice was dreary, slow, and chilling.

"Well," Shaylee rolled her eyes. "This is my older sister Violet-"

"Vican." Interrupted the girl.

"Oh. Yeah. Sorry. Vican. And this is my little brother Dustin."

"Hi. My name is Ryan Evans." Ryan said politely, shaking Vican's hand. He reached down to shake Dustin's.

"I wouldn't do that." Vican said.

Dustin grabbed Ryan's hand and brought it to his mouth, biting down on his hand.

"Dustin!" Shaylee hissed. "I'm sorry Ryan. We don't know why he does that. Anyway, we should get going. Dustin, say 'I'm sorry Ryan.'"

"I'm sorry Ryan" Dustin said in an exact imitation of Shaylee's voice and tone. It was almost like Shaylee had said it twice. Shaylee waved and shut the door.

"Sorry about that. My family is weird." Shaylee walked up to a parked pick-up truck. "Do you mind if I put my camera and tripod in you car?"

"Go ahead."

"Thanks. I feel uncomfortable without them."

"Is that your brother's natural hair color?"

"Ha. No. Vican came home one day and had extra hair dye so she dyed his hair. Mom was upset at first, then Vican said that it was a way for Dustin to express himself at an early age. See, my mom thinks we should express ourselves in whatever ways we want to. I guess that's why she lets me go on all of these photography trips. Anyway, she thinks it's important for people to express themselves. Sorry. My family is weird."

Ryan and Shaylee arrived at the mall around 9:30. It was pretty empty. Shaylee pranced around like a puppy, pointing at all the pretty flowers, trees, and other plants. She said they were scenic. Ryan had never looked at the scenery of the mall before. It was sort of pretty.

They found a spot to sit at the food court. Ryan asked Shaylee questions about herself. Apparently she was fluent in quite a few languages. Shaylee talked a little bit about the different places she'd been to, but eventually changed the subject to Ryan.

"So, you like to sing and dance. Are you into drama?"

"Yeah. It gets sort of hard, being dyslexic and all but-" Ryan stopped. Did he just say that? 'WHY? WHY DID I SAY THAT?' he thought.

"Wow! You're dyslexic? I would have never guessed! That's pretty cool that you still do what you love, not letting that get in the way."

Ryan didn't say anything. He'd spent years making sure that his secret stayed secret. "I guess…I never told anyone about it…" Suddenly Shaylee's face erupted into a bright smile.

"You mean you actually trust me enough to tell me things like that? Wow! I feel so special!" She covered her cheeks, which were starting to get red, with her hands.

"Um…right. Just make sure you don't tell anyone, ok?"

"Wow! You even trust me with your secret! Ooooh, I've never felt so happy!" She blushed and hid her face in her hands. Ryan couldn't help but smile.

"You're easy to please aren't you?"

"Ooh! Look over there! Slushies! I want one, you want one? I'll go get some!" With that she jumped up and danced merrily over to the Slushie-Shack. 'Easily distracted too, I guess' Ryan thought. Ryan watched as she placed her order. She talked animatedly with anyone who was standing near her. He smiled again. She had a genuine child-like enthusiasm. Ryan's smile faded as he saw a few boys approach her. She talked with them the same way she talked to any other stranger, but for some reason, Ryan felt a strange feeling. Sort of like he was jealous. Shaylee smiled and waved happily when she noticed Ryan watching them. The boys shot Ryan a glare, then went off. Shaylee paid for the two slushies, talked to the worker for a minute, then made her way back to their table.

"Here! I didn't know what you wanted, so I bought 'Mystery,' is that ok?"

"Sure." Ryan said. Ryan looked around the mall. His heart nearly stopped when he noticed two familiar faces. Troy and Gabriella were in line to buy a breakfast pizza. Ryan hoped they wouldn't notice them, but it was too late. Shaylee's red hair stood out too much.

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